Topic: How to get non-root access with coomand line?

[Dan]

I need to install a software package wgich requires to be installed as a non root user - trouble is when I su to another user I get binned from the command line - any workaround?

[Michiel]

Dan wrote:
>
> I need to install a software package wgich requires to be
> installed as a non root user - trouble is when I su to
> another user I get binned from the command line - any
> workaround?

Search contribs.org for "shell access" and you'll find a contrib from Daniel van Raay that does what you need.

[Robert L. Baer]

There is'nt really any need to install a contrib to achieve this.

chsh  -s /bin/bash

issued as root will change the shell for username to bash, thus enabling the user to logon to a console.

chsh  -s /bin/sshell

changes back to the default behaviour.

[Andrew Gray]

In other words, the chsh command changes the shell of non-root users to something that will allow them to log in, otherwise they will always be kicked.  you can also achieve this by editing the /etc/passwd file and manually changing the shell.  But running the command line is better.  

eg:

chsh -s /bin/bash andygray

(where andygray is my non-root user) Now I can run as root, the su command.  Eg:

su - andygray

and now we are all happy

Cheers,

- Andy Gray

[dr_rude]

good day,

i need guide here guys. let say, i want non-root user just can access certain directory or when the non-root user access thru putty it will be direct to /home/e-smith/file/ibay/Primary/html.

how to do that?